coil cable problems......

[ejudasf]

I have a 4 inch coil for the Tesoro line of detectors, and the cable seems to be too stiff.

One suggestion was to use "tanning" on it with no promises.

Some questions were if the wires are what's stiff. Is seems as though the wires are stiff, but after really feeling it, it seems that maybe the outer sheath is what is stiff.

Anyway, I e-mailed Tesoro, and basically they say that all of their cables are made using the same cable, and that they are all flexible. Also, they don't replace cables since they are permanently attached.

I wanted to disagree with that statement.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

edwin j. fowler

[DarthCarl]

When Tesoro builds their coils, the cable is soldered to the coil windings and installed in the upper half of the shell. Epoxy is then poured in, and the lower shell half is cemented on. So they are correct, the cable cannot be replaced, without tearing up the whole thing.

I have seen some very old cables go stiff, due to the aging of the plastic sheath. Has the cable been in the sun a lot? You might try something petroleum-based, like petroleum jelly.

- Carl

[ejudasf]

okay, but isn't petroleum based....

products bad for plastics.

I think a "far fetched" idea would be to strip the sheath as far back to the coil as one can, and place a 3-foot piece of shrink tubing to the entire exposed wire.

Now to find a roll of shrink tubing that doesn't seem to harden like the present cable is.

Thanks Carl.

[Radioactive]

Stiff Plastic

The best thing to use is Armor All. It contains water-based silicone emulsions, and UV light inhibitors that cause the plastic to dry out. It injects the water based silicone into the stiff wire to make it able to flex again. I have heard of guy's using RainX also to do it, it's silicone based also.

Robert

[ejudasf]

Thanks Robert

I think I will try this next.

ejf

[ejudasf]

It's still stiff. <sigh>

I guess I gotta live with it!

[Siliquae_Sid]

Siliquae_Sid

Typical of Tesoro, they know their coils are a pile of dog doo, but they persist in turning out the damn things. Shame as their detectors rock!

I have an email from Jack Gifford clearly stating that they don't care about customers (in the UK) as the market is so small. Now THAT'S customer service for you!

I'm working on a Tesoro compatible coil with a plug in cable, should be about the same price as standard Tesoro coils, but with the option to plug in a longer cable if you want to hipmount.

I bet Tesoro steal this idea now and say they had it like 20 years ago (ROFLMAO).

Basically it IS possible to repair Tesoro coils, it just takes a LONG time to pick the epoxy off the inside of the coil housing. I use a jewellers screwdriver as a chisel and a small hammer. Takes three hours or so. Might just be cheaper to go buy a new one. I have one for sale (NEW with scuff cover. Make me an offer).

[Carl-NC]

Typical of Tesoro, they know their coils are a pile of dog doo, but they persist in turning out the damn things.

What's wrong with Tesoro coils?

[Siliquae_Sid]

They're very poorly made!

A friend of mine over here in the UK went through five coils in under a year. Two fell apart, the rest leaked water and then packed up, and he doesn't abuse them!

Check the balance on the coils too. For what they are, they're over priced. If Tesoro would sort this issue out, then maybe they would sell even more detectors.

They could do with some new models too, and I don't mean ones based on 30 year old designs.

[ejudasf]

The coil is still usable.........

and very accurate. Even though the cable is stiff, it's there. There are a few "nicks" on the cable.

I use it on a deleon, that I added a GB to. I have an 8-inch brown coil, and a 10X12 coil as well. Almost forgot that I also have the 8X9 stock coil too.

I am thinking of trading the whole thing, not because of the cable, but I would like to try a 250. I am planning to place it for trade for 2- 250's. I hope I find a trade.

Now about Tesoro's customer service. I am sure they stand behind their products, as I have only needed to send 2 separate machines to them in the past, and they have fixed them at no charge to me. These machines were "second hand" used, and for them to change out the PCB board is pretty big. I am not aware of their customer service over seas, but I am aware that they do replace defective coils.

I am sure that a few slip by, but in the end they usually make good on something. It just might take some time.

Carl, do you still have any o-scopes for sale? cheap?

laterz

edwin j fowler